Sedation Dentistry – Round Rock, TX

Dental Care without the Scare

Going to the dentist isn’t anyone’s favorite activity, but for some, just the idea of a dental visit is enough to make a chill go up their spine. This dental phobia is far from rare, and it leads many patients to avoid regular care until they are in an extreme amount of dental pain, which usually leads to even more dental-related anxiety!

At Chisholm Trail Dental Health, we do our best to create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere that can help even the most nervous patient relax. For those that require a little more care, sedation dentistry can easily help persistent dental nerves melt away. We offer a variety of sedation options that can be completely tailored to every patient, ensuring that despite whatever kind of treatment they may need, they will feel calm and cool the entire time.

Sedation can be safely used with both children and adults, and we would be happy to discuss your options to ensure that your next appointment is 100% stress-free. Give us a call today to learn more.

Why Choose Chisholm Trail Dental Health for Sedation Dentistry?

Gentle enough for children, strong enough for adults

Partnered with a licensed anesthesiologist

Sedation available for any procedure

What Type of Sedation is Available?

The most popular types of dental sedation are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Different levels of sedation (mild, moderate and deep) can be utilized depending on individual needs. Before administering any sedative, Dr. Asay will analyze the full medical history of a patient, taking note of any current medications.

Here is an overview of some of the most common types of dental sedatives:

Oral Conscious Sedation

For patients who experience mild to moderate dental phobia, oral conscious sedation is usually our top recommendation. Oral medication is prescribed prior to treatment, and the patient will be instructed to take it the day of their appointment. This approach helps someone feel completely physically and mentally relaxed in the chair, but they will likely not fall asleep. Time will seem to fly by quickly, and most patients have little to no memory of their visit afterward.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

You probably know nitrous oxide by another name—“laughing gas.” It’s perfect for patients who need just a little help relaxing during their routine checkups and cleanings, and it’s so gentle that we can even use it with small children. Once inhaled, a patient will quickly feel calmer as all anxiety drains out of them. We can adjust the amount of nitrous oxide a patient is receiving throughout their appointment based on their comfort level. Afterward, a patient won’t experience any lasting drowsiness or numbness from the sedation, meaning they can go straight back to their day.

IV Sedation

With IV sedation, a sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream to help a patient quickly relax and feel a sense of calm. We typically use this for shorter procedures, and most patients say that it makes them feel like they slept through their appointment (though most remain conscious the entire time). We recommend IV sedation for patients with extreme dental phobia or who have mental/physical special needs that make receiving routine care difficult and/or uncomfortable.

What types of drugs are used for oral conscious sedation?

Dr. Asay can prescribe one of a number of different sedatives based on a patient’s anxiety level and the length of the procedure they need. The ones he uses most often are:

Valium: This sedative has a long half-life, in that it’s able to last through time-consuming, complex procedures.

Halcion: Many people use Halcion to treat insomnia, but it can also help patients feel calmer during shorter procedures. It has amnesic properties as well, meaning many patients don’t remember their appointment afterward.

Ativan: Often prescribed to reduce general anxiety, Dr. Asay will typically recommend Ativan for procedures that take less than two hours.

Versed: This sedative has a very short half-life, and its effects are very similar to those brought on by nitrous oxide. Generally, Dr. Asay will prescribe it for patients who need simple procedures that can be completed very quickly.